Product Description

This is an easy-to-read and comprehensive guide for users of GPS receivers and digital mapping. GPS navigation and digital mapping is the new 'map and compass'. This practical guide holds the hand of the user, while they learn how to use this new technology. The tips, tasks and 'check your learning' boxes are designed to make this process as easy as possible - even fun. The chapters include: Using your GPS Abroad; Making Your GPS Fun with information about geocaching and geotrailing; a Shopper's Checklist; and Glossary. The main body of the book addresses GPS receivers, digital mapping, how the two work together and introduces the main players. Unique Garmin and Magellan-based screen-grabs illustrate how to use a receiver - from setting defaults to creating waypoints and planning routes. Technology issues are explained using easy-to-understand language. Tips, tasks and 'check your learning' sections are designed to encourage practical use.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #98712 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

From the Author
This book has been produced from the experience of running courses for some 2000 outdoor enthusiasts interested in getting to grips a little better with GPS. As a result of focussing entirely on this niche but rapidly developing market, GPS Training has developed into the UK’s market leader in training people to use GPS. The company is the only organisation officially endorsed by Garmin, Magellan (who between them account for more than 90% of the UK GPS market) and Memory-Map (the market leader in this field) as their official training partner.

Since it was published, the book has been widely acclaimed by the GPS industry, the outdoor press and by users alike. The book does not claim to be a full traditional navigation guide as there are many other titles that specialise in that still vital skill. We do make this clear in the book. We have found that the annotated screen grab step-by-step diagrams are exactly what GPS users tell us they need to develop their hands-on skills. Sir Chris Bonington found them particularly useful on his expeditions and, as a result, was kind enough to recommend the book.

Mr White is, of course, entitled to his opinion, although I really do not know what he is looking for in such a book as I can honestly say that it is unique in the depth and breadth of its content. I can at least assure others that the book should significantly help you move up the learning curve with GPS and digital maps although, of course, nothing can match a training course run by a real person.

Customer Reviews

Good concise colourful overview of GPS navigation and digital mapping
I suspect if you're just thinking of buying a GPs for the first time this really would be an excellent book to help you decide what to look for in a GPS and would also give you an idea of what you could acheive. If you've already bought a GPS then it's still quite a useful little book. With specific reference to my Garmin Etrex Legend Cx although a lot of the information presented here duplicates the information in the manual the step by step screenshots do promote a better understanding of what your GPS can do and how to set it up. I found the sections on route planning and the differences between setting waypoints with a traditional map and setting them with a GPS very useful.

It's a very clear book with well designed use of colour. It's logically sequenced and is definitely worth having on your bookshelf

It's a bit disingenous though of one of the authors to make the claim above, in response to a hostile review below, that they make it clear in the book that it isn't a traditional navigational guide. Well, they do make that clear but (and excuse me for pointing out the obvious) you need to be in possession of the book for that to be apparent. Ok you can see the table of contents here but that's not a substitute for actually seeing the book and it's text as a whole. And as Amazon is an online shop and not a dusty old bookshop I would guess that many people who have bought a GPs will simply be browsing the book section looking for appropriate sounding titles. And maybe it's just me but the authors never seem to miss a chance to plug their training courses either -just count the number of screenshots of a browswer displaying a GPSTraining page.

Such gripes aside I'm glad I bought this book and think it is good value and a useful resource.

Very handy and comprehensive
This fills a useful gap for those looking for up to date information about GPS. It's got a lot more in it than the typical user manual you get with the device and it benefits from being written by proper users rather than the manufacturer's engineers. There's good background information on GPS and how to use it, but the real bonus are the step by step guides to the main pages and functions. These are in full colour which is certainly helpful. The guides do only cover Garmin and Magellan units, but I guess that covers the vast majority of purchases at least in the UK.

The one to Beat
As a novice to GPS i was recommended to this book and very glad i was, it's the most helpful little book i have ever used.
The instructions where clear and easy to understand although the pictures did not relate to my GPS unit it was simple to apply to my particular Garmin.

Overall i recommend this super little book to all who wish to venture into the world of GPS.
Derek U Hackett.